Mastering the technical side of photography is easy. Learning how to expose an image, use lighting, and compose a shot is all just mechanics. You can study the inverse square law, diffraction, and the rule of thirds, but none of that will make you stand out. The difference between a technically proficient photographer and a great one is not something you can learn from a tutorial.
Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio, this honest video breaks down why technical skills alone won’t take you far. If someone can teach you how to do something, then anyone can do it. Lighting setups, camera settings, and composition tricks are just tools. They are important, but they won’t make your work unique. What separates successful photographers, especially in fine art and commercial photography, is having a distinct voice. Without it, you risk being just another technically skilled but forgettable photographer.
Choucino explains that finding your style isn’t something you can learn in a classroom. It comes from understanding what truly excites you visually. That could be certain colors, compositions, or storytelling techniques. Many photographers spend years chasing trends or mimicking others instead of figuring out what genuinely inspires them. When Choucino had this realization, he shifted his work toward pop art-inspired imagery, something he had always loved. That change brought more success than he ever expected.
The hardest part is figuring out what you love and committing to it. If you’re drawn to specific visual styles, films, or art, that’s a clue. Choucino points out that originality matters far more than technical perfection. Clients and agencies aren’t looking for someone who takes slightly sharper images than the next person. They want someone who brings something new. Developing that level of originality takes time, but it’s the only way to move beyond just being technically competent. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.
A good friend of mine has a 4 step plan, What is it you LOVE to do, who needs what you LOVE to do, who are the fewest people who need what you LOVE to do and how do you stay in touch with them? I started following this plan about 15 years ago and my business has never been more successful, made more money, have better clients and really enjoy what I photograph and the people I work with.
100% agree!
Is anyone strongly claiming that mastering technical skills is sufficient to be a unique photographer? It’s akin to advocating that mastering grammar is the only necessity to become a great writer. The point is true but trivially so. Also, do unique photographers have a unique voice? Vision might be more accurate since it’s a visual medium. Great writing cannot be taught, nor can great photography. Like writing, music and painting, looking, listening and reading great predecessors and practice is the only hope for developing a unique‘vision’.